Jennings Extended

The 49ers just announced that long-snapper Brian Jennings has signed a five-year extension. It means Jennings, who’s about to enter his 10th year with the 49ers, will have his visage implanted on the team’s 10-year wall, an honor that’s becoming increasingly rare in this era of shortened careers and rampant free agency.

No one could have guessed Jennings would last this long after the 49ers snared him in the seventh round of the 2000 draft out of Arizona State. “My goal was to make the team and just not get embarrassed,” he said of his rookie season.

Brain Jennings is no ordinary long snapper

But he honed his long-snapping skills and developed into a Swiss watch-consistent player at the odd chore of hiking a ball between his legs. Jennings admitted Saturday to being a peak experience addict, and he might be the most colorful and intelligent player on the team and yet he plays what he terms as a “don’t-screw-it-up” position. A position that only gets publicity when something goes wrong at a critical time.

“Peak experiences is one of my mottos,” Jennings said. “My job is to be as seamless and invisible as possible, which is completely different from my personality. … It’s a great challenge for me.”

Jennings and linebacker Jeff Ulbrich share the title of longest active 49er and Jennings credits his devotion to Yoga training for keeping him supple as he progresses in his career. In fact, in his first five seasons sans Yoga, Jennings averaged 3.6 tackles a year. With Yoga for the last three years, he’s averaged nine tackles.

Who knew the violence of football would marry so well with the contemplative practice of a quiet marshall art. Also, who knew a skinny tight end out of Arizona State taken in the draft’s last round would make the 49ers’ prestigious 10-year wall?

WHAT YOU TALKIN’ BOUT WILLIS?: The 49ers took linebacker Patrick Willis and tackle Joe Staley in the first round of the 2007 draft and Staley was just awarded a five-year, $42 million extension with $18 mil in guarantees. But Willis, the team’s twice decorated Pro Bowler and the widely acknowledged best player on the team, hasn’t heard a peep.

“Not to my knowledge,” Willis said when asked if the organization had approached him about extending his deal. “Right now I’m just thinking about playing ball and winning. … I love the 49ers and I’m just taking it one year at a time.”

What’s scary about Willis’s response? It’s probably genuine. Maybe in his private moments he wonders why Staley got an extension and he didn’t, but he spends far more time on how to get the 49ers 13th-ranked defense into the top five.

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky made the team’s rank a point of emphasis and Willis wants to carry it into next season. They have a shot at it if organized team activities are an indication. Already, the defense has been told to dial it back so the nascent offense can function.

PLUTO SHOES: Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye wears two large circular pads beneath his shoes while spending hours on his feet at practice. Raye underwent major back surgery a few years ago and the padding limits the soreness.

Raye was using a foam pad to stand on but that didn’t help as he moved around the field. That’s when trainer Jeff Ferguson created the foam cutouts that Raye slips into before practice.

“It works great,” Raye said, and he even mentioned that he’s contacted a patent lawyer about possibly going commercial on the idea. No one’s sure if Raye was joking or not. Raye said players dubbed Raye’s new padded kicks, his “pluto shoes.”

QUARTERBACK COMPETITION: Raye reiterated his desire to see his quarterbacks play in pads before determining a starter. Raye said the quarterbacks are improving at calling audibles, but mentioned that what they do off the script might determine who’s the best quarterback.

“A guy that can stretch the field, and guy who has mental awareness and can create plays with his arm and his feet,” Raye responded when asked about qualities he looks for. “A good part of the position is doing things that are not coached.”

Alex Smith was the hands down winner of Saturday morning’s session. He really excelled throwing to receivers who were working man-on-man against defensive backs. In one four-pass sequence, Smith hit Isaac Bruce on a perfectly-thrown long pass (who was well-guarded by rookie free-agent corner Carlos Thomas), then fired a on-the-money crossing route to Brandon Jones (Allen Rossum covering), then dropped a long touchdown pass to Mark Bradford (Jahi Word-Daniels covering) and finished hitting Michael Spurlock on a quick slant.

Smith’s ability to transfer those passes to team drills and ultimately to games will obviously determine his success.

NOTES: Raye mentioned Josh Morgan, Dominique Zeigler and Spurlock as standouts in the receiving corps. … Cornerback Dre Bly nearly intercepted a Shaun Hill pass and then yelled at Hill, “Don’t throw that pass!” Bly was very impressive covering everybody except Isaac Bruce. Bruce, by the way, said Bly is an effective player because he’s a gambler and quarterbacks are wary of him. … Wide receiver Jason Hill stretched his hamstring in Friday afternoon’s practice and was held out Saturday. … Cornerback Nate Clements is out indefinitely with a touch of pneumonia, defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell (illness) and safety Reggie Smith (groin) were also held out. … The 49ers are in the midst of seven straight days of OTA or minicamp practices. … This coaching staff has no qualms about getting on players. Tight ends coach Pete Hoener got on rookie Bear Pascoe and Delanie Walker, while linebacker Justin Roland got an earful from Manusky.